Issues Facing Sharks

Sadly, many sharks are being chased towards extinction.

Current estimates reflect that over 73 million sharks are killed each year, although exact numbers are difficult to determine. Up to 90% of some shark species have already been wiped out in areas around the world, probably in oceans near you.

In the last 50 years, the slaughter of sharks has risen by 400%, and by 2017, it is anticipated that 20 species of sharks could become extinct.

97 to 99% of certain regional populations of shark species like Tigers and Hammerheads in the North Atlantic are already gone.

Even marine reserves like Galapagos and Cocos—where sharks are supposedly protected—are the target of illegal fisheries.

There is no international enforcement mechanism to enforce the laws intended to save sharks.

Sharks, slow to reproduce, cannot sustain the massive fishing pressures they are under.

In 2009, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported over 1/3 of all shark species are threatened with extinction.

Many of the species commonly utilized in shark products are considered endangered, vulnerable or near threatened and often are obtained illegally.

A large percentage of shark fishing around the world is illegal and supports a ruthless black market.

Few people know or care that many shark species are rapidly moving towards extinction. Our irrational fear of sharks explains our lack of desire to save

Sharks are magnificent, intelligent creatures that have evolved in the oceans for over 400 million years.

Sharks are misunderstood and our fears are fueled by the media – not by fact.

People are more likely to be killed by a bee sting, lightning bolt or vending machine than a shark.

Only four people died (on record) due to a shark bite in 2008.

Of the over 500 species of sharks, only a handful of species have been linked to any incidents with humans – that is less than 5% of all shark species.

“It's a basic lesson in ecology - sharks, low in numbers naturally because they have few young, are targeted, numbers diminish past their tipping point, lower order predators and their prey proliferate, disease strikes the marine life further down the food chain because of the imbalance, algae flourish, coral are smothered, and the reef dies.”-Judy Friedlander